by Travis Kelce: A Tight End For the Ages
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It’s rare for a tight end to put together a career as prolific and accomplished as Travis Kelce. Now in his 10th season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelce continues to etch his name amongst the greatest to ever play his position. His combination of durability, production, and team success have cemented his legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time great tight ends. Let’s examine some of Kelce’s most impressive career milestones to truly appreciate what he has achieved so far.
Games Played
One of the most underappreciated traits in the NFL is availability. Few things can derail a career more than an inability to stay on the field. But Kelce has proven remarkably durable over the past decade, appearing in 150 career games so far. That kind of longevity at the tight end position is no small feat given the physical pounding players at his position endure each week. Kelce has started all but one game he has appeared in, a testament to both his health and consistency. Uninterrupted playing time has allowed Kelce to rack up gaudy career receiving totals that few tight ends have matched. His ability to suit up week after week separates him from his peers.
Receptions
Kelce entered the 2022 season with 934 career receptions, good for 6th all-time among tight ends. He is on pace this season to surpass Jason Witten’s record of 1,228 receptions for a tight end within the next couple years. Kelce’s 934 grabs have come remarkably quickly over just 10 seasons, a sign of how integral he has been to the Chiefs’ passing attack for much of his career. Only Tony Gonzalez has reached the 900 reception mark faster than Kelce among tight ends. Continuing his average of over 90 catches per season, Kelce seems destined to finish his career with the most receptions ever by the position.
Receiving Yards
With 11,547 career receiving yards entering 2022, Kelce sits 4th on the all-time list for tight ends. He trails only Gonzalez, Witten, and Shannon Sharpe, an elite trio that played significantly longer careers than Kelce. At his current pace, Kelce should surpass Sharpe’s career total of 10,060 yards this season and Gonzalez’s career record of 15,127 yards within the next couple years. Kelce has averaged over 1,000 receiving yards in seven of his nine full seasons, a remarkable feat of consistency. His big-play ability has allowed him to rack up yardage totals that few tight ends in history have matched over such a short career.
Super Bowl Wins
Team success is the ultimate goal, and Kelce has enjoyed plenty as a Chief. He has been a key part of Kansas City’s offensive resurgence that led to Super Bowl LIV and Super Bowl LV championships. Kelce joins a select group of just 10 tight ends to start a Super Bowl victory. His performances in those playoff runs, including a dazzling 44-yard touchdown in Super Bowl LIV, cemented his legacy as one of the greatest postseason performers at his position. Few tight ends can match Kelce’s combination of regular season production plus championships in big moments.
Season Highlights
Kelce’s individual season highlights further exemplify his dominance. In 2018, he set the single-season record for receiving yards by a tight end with 1,336, breaking Rob Gronkowski’s previous mark. He followed that up with career highs of 97 receptions and 1,229 yards in 2020. Those two seasons stand out as Kelce’s most prolific, but his consistency is what truly separates him – only twice in nine seasons has he failed to record at least 1,000 scrimmage yards. His ability to produce at an elite level year after year is what places him amongst the best to ever play the position.
Touchdowns
With 68 career touchdowns so far, Kelce trails only Gonzalez on the all-time tight end touchdown list. His speed and athleticism for his size have allowed him to find the end zone with regularity throughout his career. Kelce has scored at least five touchdowns in all but two of his nine full seasons. His touchdown production is a big reason for his consistent fantasy football stardom as well. Don’t be surprised if Kelce passes Gonzalez’s record of 111 career touchdowns within the next couple seasons barring any major injuries.
Individual Accolades
Kelce’s individual accolades speak to the recognition and respect he has earned around the league. He has been voted to the Pro Bowl in seven consecutive seasons from 2015 to 2021, one of just three tight ends ever with such a streak. His first-team All-Pro selections in 2018 and 2020 further exemplified those as peak seasons. At just 32 years old, Kelce likely has several more Pro Bowl nods and All-Pro considerations ahead if he can maintain his lofty standards of production and playmaking. His individual awards to date have firmly established him as the best tight end of his generation.
Intangibles
Beyond the stats, Kelce’s leadership and locker room presence have been integral to the Chiefs’ sustained success. His infectious personality and work ethic continue to set the standard for Kansas City off the field. Kelce’s penchant for clutch plays in big moments has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest postseason performers of all time at any position. His combination of talent, drive, and intangibles are what separate the legends from the rest. At just 32 years old entering his 10th season, Kelce shows no signs of slowing down as he continues chasing team and individual milestones.
Conclusion
From games played to receiving yards to touchdowns to championships, Travis Kelce has checked nearly every box imaginable for greatness at the tight end position. His combination of production, durability, and accolades have cemented him amongst the best to ever play. With possibly 3-4 more productive seasons still ahead, Kelce seems destined to set career records that may stand for decades. His legacy as the greatest tight end of his generation, and perhaps of all time, is already secure. But Kelce will no doubt continue adding to his remarkable resume as he cements his place in NFL history as one of the best to ever play the game.
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